Apion frumentarium

Description

2.5 to 4.5mm. Distinguished from other red Apion species by the head structure; completely punctate, including the underside, between eyes and prothorax side margin, this punctuation being similar to that on pronotum. Head long, with temples subparallel and at least one and a half times longer than the eye when viewed from above (A. cruentatum). Eyes and claws black otherwise completely red/orange and clothed with sparse creamy white pubescence. Male rostrum broadest subapically and shining in apical half, in female broadest at antennal insertion and with apical half more shining.

Identification difficulty
Recording advice

Unless identified by a recognised expert, photographic evidence is required and the specimen should be examined with a microscope. In the comments box, state the key or ID method used. Note the beetle's size and describe the identifying characters. It is advisable to retain the specimen in case further checks are needed.

Habitat

On the leaves of larger Docks. Adults are active during warm weather on the underside of leaves.

When to see it

Mainly from April until early June but sometimes occuring later in the year.

UK Status

Common across England, Wales and southern Scotland.

VC55 Status

Fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Species group:
Beetles
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Coleoptera
Family:
Apionidae
Records on NatureSpot:
65
First record:
14/05/2012 (Calow, Graham)
Last record:
17/06/2024 (Nicholls, David)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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